Our award winning Balham clinic has a large and very experienced team of Clinical Massage Therapists with a huge amount of experience treating a wide range of soft tissue conditions using hands on sports and remedial massage.
What is Clinical Sports Massage?
Clinical sports massage is a type of remedial clinical massage. It is a targeted therapeutic massage that that aims to address imbalances in the soft tissue. Your therapist uses a deeper massage pressure and certain techniques to help alleviate muscle tension, pain, to improve mobility and sports performance alongside preventing injury and aiding recovery.
Our clinical massages are at our Balham clinic and are are performed by a qualified healthcare practitioner such as a physiotherapist or osteopath or by a highly skilled clinical support worker therapist. You can get sports massages as your treatment or alongside treatment from a physiotherapist or osteopath.
If you’re attending for the first time or have a new injury your massage appointment will include an assessment of your condition or injury prior to treatment.
Who is Sports Massage for?
Clinical Sports Massage does not just have to be for sports people or athletes, it can be for any individual looking to alleviate soft tissue pain and tension.
This type of massage can be beneficial for everyone as muscle tension and strains can result from many activities, sports or occupations involving repetitive movements. Clinical sports massage is also a great accompaniment to injury rehabilitation which may have caused muscle tension.
Sports Massage FAQ’s
What body parts can benefit from a Sports Massage?
Many muscles and joints can benefit from a sports massage. Your therapist will perform an initial assessment to determine the problem area before starting treatment, areas we treat include:
- Neck and Shoulders
- Upper, mid and lower back
- Glutes
- Quadriceps and Hamstrings
- Calves, ankle and foot
- Arm, including upper and forearm
- Hand
What happens during a Clinical Massage appointment?
Your first appointment will include an initial assessment, this will allow your therapist to take a full medical history and determine any injuries and the area you would like treatment on. Your therapist will then explain to you what they are doing during treatment followed by any advice necessary.
How do I book a Clinical sports massage?
You can book your massage online via our booking system here.
You can call our clinic on 020 8672 4455 to book your appointment over the phone.
You can come into our clinic, located between Balham and Tooting to book in person. Our address is 260 Balham High Road, SW17 7AN.
Can I use my Private Medical insurance for Massage?
If your private medical insurance covers massage or has a wellness plan, you may be able to claim back the cost or part of the cost of your massage treatment. We do not invoice any insurance company directly for massage treatments, you are required to pay for the appointment in full and we will provide you with an invoice to submit a claim with your insurance.
Please note, we are unable to take any patients claiming through Vitality health insurance.
For more information about making a claim for treatment through your Private Medical Insurance, please visit our Private Medical Insurance Page
Where are my Clinical massage appointments?
All of our Clinical massage appointments are in a treatment room in our Balham Clinic. You can find our clinic at 260 Balham High Road, SW17 7AN.
We are located inbetween Balham and Tooting Bec tube stations and on multiple bus routes through Balham.
Our Clinical Massage Therapists
AGA BIALUCHA ACSP
Aga is a Polish physiotherapist, currently awaiting her UK registration with HCPC and working as a physiotherapy assistant and manual therapist in the meantime under the supervision of our Lead Physiotherapist.
Aga has extensive knowledge and a broad range of manual therapy approaches including sports massage, deep tissue, rolfing, lymphatic drainage and myofascial release.
She qualified with a Masters degree in Physiotherapy in Poland in 2018 where she started practicing as a Physiotherapist before moving to the UK. During her postgraduate practice she treated a range of musculo-skeletal conditions including those related to degenerative diseases, work-related injuries, sports injuries and rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation. Alongside her physiotherapy training she has attained qualifications in fascial manipulation by Stecco, trigger point therapy and kinesiology taping.
In her free time, Aga practices yoga and swims. She also loves reading books and practicing her sewing skills.
Aga is passionate about human body and recognises how a little tension in the wrong place can influence posture and movement.
“I think everyone deserves to know that a relaxed body leads to better quality of life.”
ALEX HOOPER M.OST
- Master of Science in Osteopathy
- Master of Science in Sports Rehabilitation
CARMEN LECH MCSP
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
- APPI Clinical Pilates – Matwork (Level 1)
- APPI Clinical Pilates – Ante and Postnatal Pilates
- The Mummy MOT Practitioner
Carmen qualified in 2009, with a BSc Physiotherapy (Hons) from St George’s University, London. Following this she went on to work in patient care across several top London teaching hospitals before starting clinical research into the effects of exercise on lung disease.
Driven by her passion for all things Women’s health, Carmen has additional training in Post-natal conditioning, anti and post-natal Pilates (APPI), and is a Mummy MOT Practitioner. She has a special interest in yoga as medicine, pelvic health, and the menopausal years.
Carmen believes in ageing well and empowering the individual in attaining personal goals and personal health. In her practice she utilises strength and conditioning and breathwork to aid mobility and function.
As a clinician she recognises that pain is multifactorial and the impact that this can have on a person’s life. Her aim is always to improve overall quality of life. She believes in patient-led treatments and the interactive relationship between mental wellbeing and physical rehabilitation.
She uses adjuncts such as myofascial release: scar, remedial, and sports massage to assist in reducing pain and improving functional movement. With a strong belief in the therapeutic benefits of manual therapy she incorporates this skill set, and the importance of education into all treatment sessions. Working hard to support her patients at all times.
Carmen fully supports the individual in achieving personal, relevant goals by providing guidance and support whether it be physical fitness, or a return to activity following injury, illness, or the post-natal period.
She has a good understanding of the importance of lifestyle management and exercise rehabilitation and will incorporate these effectively into your treatment using the full breadth of her expertise.
Whatever your injury or concern, Carmen will provide a thorough assessment and an evidence-based treatment plan, all developed and based on your specific requirements.
When Carmen is not working she’s gardening, raising two small amazing humans, or cycling and exploring the city.
WILL BOLUS MCSP
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Hons)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (Hons)
- Sports MAssage Therapist
- Gym Instructor
Will’s experiences ranges from surgical rehab and recovery to those with chronic neuromusculoskeletal pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, EDS and FND. Will also has extensive experience with sports after working with Harlequins RFC and London Irish RFC.
Will takes a holistic approach to treating patients. Having a background in psychology allows him to identify and understand the psychosocial factors that can impact a client’s experience of pain, recovery and overall well-being. As a result, this leads to more effective pain management strategies.
Will aims to provide his patients with the best possible guidance by creating and promoting realistic, collaborative goals where his patients voice is heard so that these can be incorporated into everyday life.
HAMZA TAHA M.OST
- Master of Science in Osteopathy
- Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy
Hamza is a qualified and fully registered osteopath, who graduated with a Master’s degree from the University College of Osteopathy.
His primary passion lies in restoring functionality for patients from diverse backgrounds, adopting a holistic approach when treating his patients. He ensures they receive individualised care and advice, enabling them to lead fulfilling daily lives.
During his university journey, Hamza undertook placements in specialized HIV and geriatric care. This invaluable exposure has deepened his understanding of musculoskeletal conditions in a variety of patients.
He holds a diploma in Sports Massage Therapy. Over the past two years, he has worked with a diverse range of patients, expanding his therapeutic skill set and providing tailored treatments.
Beyond his work, Hamza is deeply passionate about sports, and his personal interests reflect this commitment. He enjoys regular exercise and has a background in both football and karate. Being trilingual, fluent in English, Arabic and Hebrew, enabling him to effectively connect with patients from various cultural backgrounds.
KATELIN HORAN MCSP
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (distinction)
- Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience (BSc)
- Foundation for dry needling
Katelin has been the sole physiotherapist within a high school where she assessed, treated, and completed rehabilitation with paediatric clients. She has also been a part of a private orthopaedic hospital team, where she has experience with lower limb operative clients from day 1 post-op. Some of these clients were followed and treated by Katelin from day 1 to discharge one year later (particularly ACL reconstructions!).
Katelin has a holistic approach in collaboration with clients, where the best practice and research is always considered. She practices hands-on treatments like dry needling, joint mobilisations, and massage. She also has a large interest in rehabilitative exercises and general fitness.
Katelin enjoys travel, exploring new places and is excited to see and experience your part of the world! She also has a big interest in the gym (including crossfit and weightlifting), sports, hiking and running.
TANYA CHUMAK MCSP
- Bachelor of Kinesiology
- Master of Science in Physiotherapy
Tanya is originally from Calgary, Canada. She is a former professional ballerina and had a fulfilling ten-year career dancing with the New York Theatre Ballet and the Alberta Ballet. During that time, she also developed a keen interest in injury and recovery and completed her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She then moved to London to pursue a master’s degree in physiotherapy and graduated from Brunel University. Tanya has experience working in private practice and treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and sporting-related injuries.
Tanya’s previous experience as an elite-level athlete has given her a unique perspective for understanding the body’s physical and mental demands. She has personally had several acute injuries including an ACL tear and understands the rehabilitation process from a patient perspective. She enjoys treating all injuries but has a special interest in lower limb injuries, particularly knee injuries such as patellofemoral pain, ITB syndrome and post-operative ACLs. She also enjoys working with runners and utilises running analysis to help guide her treatment approach. As a former dancer, Tanya can offer a unique service to all dancers combining her expertise in dance and rehabilitation.
Tanya strongly believes in finding the root cause of an injury and the importance of returning to pre-level function stronger and with more education and knowledge. Although she no longer dances, Tanya enjoys running, weightlifting, and CrossFit. She is comfortable with all aspects of the gym and often incorporates gym technique into her treatment approach.
She believes in an individualised approach to treatment and adopts a person-centred approach for optimal results. She feels that exercise is a key component to recovery and combines this with manual therapy, education, and injury prevention to ensure long-term success.
